Tagged With: science policy
Shout louder
Karen Patel, communications assistant at the Society of Biology and organiser of the Science Communication Awards, blogs about the Science is Vital campaign For me growing up in London meant school holidays included a day out to museums and galleries. Hands on activities and enthusiastic explainers made the Science Museum a favourite. Taking part in … Continue reading
Are neonicotinoids distracting us from the bigger picture?
by Rebecca Nesbit, Society of Biology The much awaited vote by EU member states on the potential neonicotinoid ban takes place on Monday. There has been strong environmental lobbying to encourage Environment Minister Owen Patterson to vote in favour of a ban, but to what extent is the fate of bees really hanging on this … Continue reading
MPs’ thoughts on academic career paths
by Rebecca Nesbit, Society of Biology From a potential ban on neonicotinoids to the importance of the EU, there were some provocative questions at last week’s Voice of the Future. There were many times when I had my preconceptions challenged by the MPs’ answers, and many issues I hadn’t stopped to consider. This Storify (below) … Continue reading
Opening up policy
James Lush, Policy Manager at the Biochemical Society, discusses whether policy making is becoming more open The question “do we know what is desirable in open policy making?” was one of the opening gambits at the Experts, publics and open policy event held at the House of Lords on 15 January. Sir Roland Jackson, Chief … Continue reading
NHS Choices website becomes ‘neutral’ on homeopathy
by Rebecca Nesbit, Society of Biology * since I wrote this post, the NHS Choices website has been modified again with the introduction of a sentence stating that a Government report said homeopathic remedies perform no better than placebos The ongoing debate about whether homeopathy should be provided on the NHS has again stirred up … Continue reading
GM: is opinion more important than science?
by Rebecca Nesbit, Society of Biology Today’s announcement by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson that the British public should be persuaded of the benefits of genetically modified crops has predictably caused controversy. The top message from anti-GM campaigners seems to be ‘you’re wrong about GM – the public don’t want it’. GM Freeze, quoted in the … Continue reading
Consulting on consultations
by Jackie Caine, Science Policy Officer at the Society of Biology Earlier in the year, the Cabinet Office announced a change in the guidance for government departments and other public bodies when engaging stakeholders in policy making. These Consultation Principles aim to achieve engagement by relieving some of the processes which they feel have become … Continue reading
Podcast: views after the #policylates debate
At the first #policylates debate, held on the 29th November at Charles Darwin House, the panel discussed whether or not the UK Parliament could do with more scientists. With the online poll initially showing 96% ‘yes’ votes, this was reduced to about 60% ‘yes’ amongst audience members by the end of the debate. The debate … Continue reading
Why the badger cull became a ‘Marmite debate’
by Rebecca Nesbit, press officer at the Society of Biology ‘Marmite debates’ were a common theme at the food security meeting hosted by the BBSRC last week. Just like reactions to Marmite, opinions in debates about GM crops and the badger cull tend to be polar opposites. This is in sharp contrast to the science … Continue reading
Do we need more scientists in Parliament?
Haralambos Dayantis blogs about the Society of Biology’s upcoming debate on ‘do we need more scientists in Parliament?’ The first #policylates event at Charles Darwin House is only a few weeks away, where panellists will be discussing whether we need more people with STEM backgrounds in Parliament. The issue has already generated some discussion on … Continue reading